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Fourteen of us headed off to Scotland at half term for some river tripping fun - we had more rain than in 2008, but we could have used some more!

Sunday - Awe - grade 2/3

With just the compensation flow coming out of the dam the Awe was at a based level, but enough to get down.

The first section is a bit of a scrape - but  a mass pile up on the rocks was avoided this year - just Johnny  wedging himself.  After that the river gets into a gorge that offers grade 2/3  pool and drop rapids, which is a good warm up for the rest of the week.  Some opted to warn up their swimming here too!

Monday - Lower Roy - grade 3

Over night rain provided a river level that proved to be quite a challenge (think Washburn’s big nasty brother - running as fast as the Washburn, but bigger size and volume, plus limited big eddies for easy rescues).  This is reflected in the fact that no-one managed to get their camera out while coming down the river. An impressive 11 swims between the group left Les a little weary after a full day of chase boating rescuing!.

Tuesday - Nevis - grade 2 (4)

There was still plenty of water coming off the surrounding hills, but the Nevis offered a bit of a more gentle paddle.  Except for the short grade 3 at the start and the grade 4 at the end!

Most threw themselves down the Roaring Mill (grade 4), with a couple of impressive swims - sadly I have no photos of anyone running it.

Wednesday - Grandtully on the Tay - grade 3

The rain had deserted us so not enough water  to run either the Lower Etive or the Orchy, so it was off to Tully with Nick and Jonathon (and Les) only getting to look longingly at the big drops on the middle Etive as we drove off.

A late arrival meant we just played at the slalom site, bouncing down the long rapid or practicing river skills (and swims). Our apologies to the GB junior slalom squad for interrupting their training as they had to flee to the eddies every time a fleet of plastic boats careered down the river.

Thursday - Ness - grade 1/2

No rain, so we had a look at the Roy which we hoped might be both runable and a bit less of a challenge, but it was looking rather dry. Plan b was a long drive to the river Ness. The look on some faces as we pulled up besdie the Caledonian canal was priceless.

As a lake fed river, there was plenty of water - in fact it possibly washing out some of the rapids as there wasn’t the rapids that the guide promised, and only pushed grade 2. Still some people managed to swim, due to 2 of the very few rocks we saw - and a tree in the park!!

Friday - Upper Tummel - grade 2/3 (4)

Still no rain, so a long drive to the Tummel where the base flow from the dam allowed us to get down, even if it was with some scraping and not so infrequent pins.

Les, Nick and Jonathon all ran the grade 4 - a two teir 3m drop, with an awkward run in - to whoops of delight from the rest of the group (video coming soon). Everyone else got there kicks on the long chute of the last grade 3.